Road to Pride of Puroresu Night Two

[James Peterson]

NEW JAPAN FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
PRESENTS
ROAD TO PRIDE OF PURORESU CROWN: Night Two!

Brought to you by Under Armour, SQUARE ENIX, and 7UP
Saturday 1st July, 2017
Live from Nagano Athletic Stadium in Nagano, Japan

As New Japan Fighting Championship approaches the end of the Pride of Puroresu Tournament, the night is going to be filled with a Juniors Showcase. This will be filled with the high flying and technical masters of our Junior Heavyweight Division. We also see the emergence of a new Lion in NJFC, as a new Ronin steps into the spotlight against one of the most storied Junior Heavyweights in history. And the Global Championship will have one more moment to shine, as a top talent gets his chance to vie for the belt.

What was supposed to be the second title defence of Bryan Williams reign as NJFC Global Champion unfortunately wasn't going to be taking place at Road to Pride of Puroresu. The fans were silent as James Peterson led members of the Global Puroresu Crown committee down the entrance ramp and into the ring. Peterson was evidently quite upset, whether that was because Williams had injured himself at Ante Up or maybe because of his conflicted relationship with the Crown committee was spiralling out of control. Nevertheless, Peterson faked a smile and was brought over a microphone, which he brought close to his lips. 

Peterson: Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight's main event has been cancelled. 

His words were then translated by a spokesperson on behalf of the committee, but the crowd weren't surprised. They'd known that Williams had injured himself after tweets coming from the official New Japan Fighting Championship page. Peterson allowed the fans to murmur, waiting patiently for their attention before regaining his composure and continuing. 

Peterson: Bryan Williams is unable to compete tonight and for the unforeseeable future after an injury he sustained this past Wednesday when he defended his Four Corners Wrestling Pride Championship. Some of you may know now, that Williams sustained a third grade concussion as well as injuring his knee in a losing effort. The extent of the injury was examined by the medical team of Four Corners Wrestling after the match, but as well as this - Williams was assessed by our own doctors. There is no time period for when Bryan Williams will be back in action but we hope that he has a speedy recovery. 

Once his words were translated to the native language, applause would ring through the arena. 

Peterson: Now, with Bryan being out of action for a period of time we can't measure - its with great displeasure that we'll have to relinquish the Global Championship from Bryan Williams. 

"I'll Cut You Down" immediately begins to play, the guitar riff and drum machine backing the intense sound ripping out towards the audience. The song quickly kicks in, the backing sample playing over and over as the lights turn down. Strobes going along to the beat of the song, the crowd quickly gets into the song as they wait for Bryan's arrival. The song continues to play for a few more moments, the beat settling out into a flat section.
The song quickly picks up again, as Bryan walks out from the back head held down low. The song continues to play, as Bryan stands on the top of the ramp. With his head down, Bryan holds up his right hand and extends his pointer finger. He holds it up momentarily, eventually beginning to walk down to the ring as the song continues.

Cheers echoed through the arena as Bryan came down the entrance ramp, his Global championship belt buckled around his waist. He looked into the ring, nodding his head as he knew this was the right thing to do. He unbuckled the championship belt from his waist and draped it across his shoulder, slowly walking up the entrance ramp and entering the ring cautiously, holding onto his knee. He held onto the ropes, bowing his head. He then looked at his Global championship that was on his shoulder, placing it on his hands and looking down at it, the championship he worked so hard for was about to be taken away from him. He fought back the tears, allowing a smile to cement over his face. He then asked for a microphone and Peterson gave him one. 

Williams: Kore wa meiyodesu. Ko no kikai ni arigatōgozaimasu. Kotoba wa watashi ga ima dono yō ni kanjite iru no ka setsumei dekimasen. Shikashi, watashi wa anata ni yakusoku shimasu, watashi wa modotte kimasu. Watashi ga ushinatta koto no nai kono gurōbarutaitoru no tatakai.

(This, has been an honor. Thank you for this opportunity, words can't explain how I'm feeling right now. But I promise you, I will be back. Fighting for this Global title that I never lost.)

With cheers echoing through the arena, Williams then passed his championship belt over to James Peterson before his theme song would play through the arena one last time, for now. 

[James Peterson]

Opening Match

New Dragon Debut Match

Taiji Sakamoto vs Vinnie Lloyd Anderson

As the music cranks up, the arena goes dark. All the crowd sees are red and white lights flashing. As the guitar from "a burning bullet" hits, Taiji Sakamoto emerges from the back with his jacket on. Chelsea Pryce steps in front of him, presenting him to the world. She glares towards the audience and smirks. He stands for a moment looking around. With his face covered in the skull mask, he slowly moves towards the ring. The muscular fighter ignores the hands reaching towards him as he looks into the ring. Chelsea leads him on a determined march towards the ring. As he reaches the apron, he slowly slides under the bottom rope and pulls himself up slowly. Chelsea stands over in his corner with her sharp business dress on, looking confident in her charge. Almost impatiently, he pulls off his jacket and throws it down to the ring staff. The audience gasps, as the seemingly handsome fighter pulls off his mask and tosses it back to Chelsea, who catches it with perfect timing. Almost with no emotion, he waits for the match to begin. At one time, Taiji Sakamoto was a promising rookie in the United States. But, the usual politics of the business kept him in limbo for the better part of his experience. He decided to hone his training under the legendary curmudgeon, Jaime Alejandro. The young man learned to tap into his mean streak inside the RAIN Academy. At one point, Jaime appointed the young man as one of his instructors. After one fateful day with an ex-lover of Jaime's, though, Taiji finds himself back in Japan pursuing a new course. Gone are the days of the high flying chick magnet. Taiji has soured in his mood and turned more mature an aggressive. Some say this is because of his new benefactor. All we know is that time will tell.


"Whatta Man" by Salt-N-Pepa plays through the speakers and emerging from the back is the veteran Vinnie Lloyd Anderson, standing on the top of the entrance ramp with a smirk upon his lips. He makes his way down the entrance ramp, high-fiving some of the fans on his way down, looking into the ring and staring at Sakamoto, who remains calm, bouncing on his feet. Anderson then leaps up onto the apron and enters the ring, walking past Sakamoto and hoisting himself up onto the second rope. He jumps down and the two men collide heads with one another, exchanging words as the referee comes over and breaks the two men up. Now they're both in their corners, waiting for the bell to be rung. 

The bell rings and the two men begin a circle of the ring, meeting in the middle with a collar to elbow lock with Anderson winning the duel, pushing Sakamoto back into the padded corner. He then brings him back to the center, side headlock gripped and he tightens the hold, showing brute strength as he brings Sakamoto down to a knee. Sakamoto fights his way back up, pushing Anderson back into the ropes. He launches him over to the opposite set, Anderson comes back and attempts to shoulder barge Sakamoto off of his feet, but he doesn't budge. Anderson heads to the ropes again and looks to do the same but Sakamoto remains resistant, remaining on his feet and asking Anderson whether that's all he's got. Anderson heads to the ropes, comes back - and Sakamoto has shoulder barged him off of his feet. He then looks for a lateral press but doesn't even manage to get a one with Anderson squirming back to his feet, the two running at each other, clothesline by Sakamoto. Anderson's back up, but another clothesline by Sakamoto! Once again he's up, Anderson ducks under a third clothesline attempt, hitting the ropes, low drop kick to the knee of Sakamoto, who drops to a knee. He then delivers a snap DDT. Anderson hooks the leg but only get's a one count. 

One of the most technically sound professional wrestlers in the world. A true master of his craft. Vinnie Anderson is the son of Dean Anderson, a former professional wrestler who is best known for his time in Japan. Vinnie was trained by his father as well as a host of his father's friends, who also happened to be professionals. It was in the dojo's, where a legend was born. He's been competing ever since the mid 90's, predominantly in the United States, managing to garner over twenty championship during his time between 1994 to 2002, before making the move to Japan, where he ultimately solidified his status as one of the great technical wrestlers, battling with the best of the best. By 2014, Anderson decided to call it quits after over twenty years in the game - claiming he'd accomplished every he'd set out to accomplish. Upon the reopening of NJFC in 2015, he became one of the trainers in the Dragons Dojo and also became a talent scout. As of 2017, Anderson has emerged from retirement, to see whether he still has it.

After the pin attempt by Anderson, he remained in control of the match, keeping Sakamoto grounded with a series of submission attempts but he couldn't prevail. Sakamoto found escape routes every single time and it was getting on the nerves on Anderson, who pulled him back up onto his feet. Sakamoto would then explode into a frenzy of strikes, three consecutive forearms strikes connecting, each harder than the last before shoot kick to the thigh. He looked for the lariat, Anderson ducked - Sakamoto would then deliver an overhead kick that would force Anderson to stagger around the ring, losing his footing. Double leg take down by Sakamoto who then followed this with numerous hits to Anderson, who was trying to block the shots but he couldn't. Sakamoto would then pick him up and deliver his God Slayer Piledriver, covering Anderson and securing the win for himself. 

Winner: Taiji Sakamoto (9:40)

[James Peterson]

Second Match

Junior Heavyweight Showcase

Zack Fantana vs Aleksandr Orlov

As Franz Ferdinand's "Lucid Dreams" faded out, it soon became clear that Zack Fantana wasn't particularly content with the meager introduction the ring announcer had given him. He collected a microphone from ringside and beckoned the announcer over to translate for him, whether is was necessary to the Japanese audience or not.

Zack: "Let's try that again. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zack Fantana. You may not know me now, but you will know what I'm about soon enough."

The ring announcer translated before Zack continued.

Zack: "See, I've been in this business for a decade and change, but this, tonight, marks my first match in Japan."

A polite smattering of applause.

Zack: "I've gotten plenty of questions about my decision to join NJFC after I became a free agent a few months ago. 'Why Japan?' 'Why now?' 'Why at this stage of your career?' 'Why can't you just settle down with a nice girl in Maine like your cousin Travis?' And I simply say, 'You know this has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, mom.' I think that's how most people in this business has felt at one point or another. Japan has a certain aura in the wrestling industry. And the fact is that I'm getting tired of hearing my mentor Bobby Franchise tell the same four or five stories about touring Japan nearly four decades ago. It's time to write my own. It's what he wanted, truthfully. Hell, he sent Benny Stevens here to do the same thing, but now Benny's on IR with a broken member so I'll have to carry the torch for him."

Zack crossed his heart with his right hand.

Zack: "Rest in peace, big dog. See you in Valhalla."

The translator chose not to translate most of this as Zack's eyes studied the crowd.

Zack: "But if you're asking for the real reason why now is the time, you needn't look much further than the FIGHTING Spirit of Juniors tournament. I came here because a lot of people had touted this Junior Heavyweight division as the best Junior Heavyweight division in the world, and that's exactly where I want to be. My first taste of the division will be Aleksander Orlov tonight. By all accounts, Aleksander Orlov has done his best to keep his past veiled in mystery. Try to look his matches up on the Internet and you'd think I was booked against a ghost. Guess some people just don't enjoy the limelight. Alas, Orlov may want to live a life of obscurity but I've come to Japan to do just the opposite. By the end of the FIGHTING Spirit of Juniors tournament, believe me, you will know the name Zack Fantana. And you will celebrate it."

Fantana unceremoniously dropped the microphone onto the canvas and started to stretch in preparation for the ensuing bout.

Orlov then makes his way down the entrance ramp with his theme song playing through the speakers. He lifts his right fist up to the crowd as he marches down, hopping onto the apron and entering the ring. The two men lock horns almost immediately, knuckle lock with the two jockeying in position. Orlov begins to get the upperhand, locking Fantana in a side headlock but Zack then brings him to the ropes, launching him over to the opposite set. Orlov bounces off of them, having to leap over the grounded Zack and head to the other ropes. Bouncing off of them, Fantana attempts to leapfrog over Orlov who catches him in a fireman carry. Zack then slides down his back and pushes him. Orlov turns around and looks at Zack in a way indicating that Zack shouldn't have done that. Zack smirks, inviting Orlov back to the center of the ring who heads over to him and connects with a hard back hand chop to the chest. Zack staggers a little but remains on his feet. Zack then invites to to take another strike and Orlov doesn't have to think about it twice, he hits him with consecutive forearm strikes before going for a discus elbow strike but Zack ducks underneath his attempt before exiting the ring. He holds onto his jaw which appears unhinged, he then looks back into the ring, Orlov is inviting him back in. 

Hopping onto the apron, he slowly enters the ring and the two are back at it again, collar to elbow being immediately locked in with Orlov pushing Zack back into the corner. The referee insists that he breaks it up and gradually he does, before delivering a cheap shot to Fantana, who isn't too happy about it. Zack storms out of the corner but Orlov is quick to counter, a hard hitting forearm to the face which forces Zack to stumble backwards. He then follows this with an exploder suplex that he performs in impressive fashion, a pin attempt following but he is unable to get a two count. Zack is sliding back to the outside, holding onto the railing and looking at Orlov who's in the ring, ready for what's next. Zack walks around the outside of the ring, the referee demanding that he gets back in the ring but Zack isn't listening, deciding to go back into the ring in his own time. Zack climbs onto the apron and slides himself in, Orlov quickly rushing over to him but Zack then rolls out of another angle of the ring. Orlov is frustrated, telling the referee that he shouldn't be allowing this but the ref remains calm and composed, ignoring Orlov and telling Zack that he will disqualify him. Zack holds his hands up and slowly enters the ring. 

Circling the ring, the two lunge forward at one another - collar to elbow, transitioned into a side headlock but Zack, who slams him to the canvas with a side headlock slam, body scissors by Orlov, Zack kips out of it. The two race to their feet, Orlov with a roundhouse kick attempt but Zack ducks underneath, looking for a roll up but it's only a two! They race to their feet, forearm strike by Orlov, and another, and another as he brings him to the ropes. Irish whip attempt, which is reversed, Orlov bounces off of the ropes and Zack lands a low drop kick to the knee. He then runs to the ropes himself, Orlov explodes back up to a stationary position, looking for a lariat but Zack is quick to slide underneath his arm, in behind him for a rear waist lock. Orlov then elbows his way out of this tricky predicament. Zack lets go and Orlov heads to the ropes, coming back only to be met with a running knee strike but Zack. Orlov falls to the canvas, the strike harder than anyone expected as a thunderous clap echoed through the arena.

Lateral press by Zack but to no prevail. He keeps Orlov grounded, a series of hard strikes to the back as he brings him to the corner. He levels him up, delivering a tirade of back elbows to the head of Orlov, who looks dazed and tired. He then brings him out of the corner, performing a gutbuster drop and following this with a pin but to no prevail. Orlov has rolled to the outside and Zack is back up on his feet, playing to the crowd who jeer his cocky persona. He puts a middle finger up to them and smirks, turning to the recovering Orlov on the outside. He then runs towards then ropes, slingshots his way onto the apron and waits for Orlov to turn around. He runs across the apron, a senton into Orlov, the two crashing on the outside. 

Picking him up by his hair, he slides him back into the ring whilst getting himself on the apron. He laughs as Orlov gradually makes it to his feet, wanting to connect with the flight of fantasy. Orlov is up but is able to avoid the connection, rolling through to the otherside of the ring. Fantana lands on his feet and rolls through, turning around and running toward the corner Orlov, who performs a drop toe hold on Fantana, who's head connects with the padded corner. He pulls him back up to his feet and brings him to the centre. Connects with a right slap to the face, then a left, forearm strike with both, shoot kick to his right leg, then to his chest, discussing his way round to connect with a discus elbow but Zack ducks, backflip pele kick known as Sleep Walk connecting! Orlov falls on his ass, not knowing where the hell he is. Fantana picks him up looking for a double knee facebreaker, Orlov avoids, lifting Fantana up onto his shoulders fireman carry style, Fantana finds a loophole to escape. Enziguri by Zack! Roundhouse kick by Orlov! The two stagger around, Orlov looking for a big boot but Zack ducks under, has him in an inverted DDT position, slamming him down to the canvas whilst falling himself.

Hoisting himself up onto the top rope, Zack positions himself, praying to the heavens before coming off of the top rope - Lucid Dreams connecting! A corkscrew shooting star press! He then hooks his legs, managing to get the one and the two, and the three for the win!

Winner: Zack Fantana (13:15) 

[James Peterson]

Third Match

Junior Heavyweight Showcase

Otaki vs Nikolas Thoreau

on the road

on the road

A rev of a guitar causes all the lights in the arena to drop out into darkness.

on the road

on the road

ON THE ROAD TO VIRIDIAN CITY

With that yell the lights suddenly burst into life, which reveals a woman in a purple cloak standing on the stage. While only her eyes and mouth could be seen from her hood. Her milky white skin and purple hair making it rather obvious that this person is Otaki. Her cloak doesn't cover the front of her attire, a purple one-piece outfit with no sleeves or coverage for the legs, a belt around her waist with PokéBalls on them and a pair of blue boots, as Otaki starts to go down the ramp-way. Once arriving the bottom of the ramp a smile appears on Otaki's face as she raises her hood up and off, revealing not only her face but also a red gem that is on her forehead. Once she reveals her face The Emo Princess moves up the steps and gets onto the apron before bending over the middle rope to enter the ring. Once inside the ring Otaki proceeds to take off her cloak, revealing the back of her outfit to any potential man in the crowd tonight as she neatly folds her cloak up and places it on the ropes nearest her. Right afterwards she bounces over to the ropes opposite, stepping one foot on the bottom rope while stepping the other on the middle rope and takes her Pokéball off before lifting it up in the air.

"The Violence" by Rise Against hits the speakers as the lights dim down. Moments later Nikolas Thoreau steps through the curtain and out on to the stage to moderate applause and cheers from those who at least know of him. With a smile on his face he stops at the top of the stage and slaps his chest twice, bellowing at the camera with a roar before raising his arm in the air as he begins his walk to the ring.

While he is introduced by the ring announcer, he proceeds down the ramp, slapping hands with fans on either side of the entrance way until he reaches the base of the ramp. From there his pace quickens to a jog until he leaps up onto the ring apron, grabbing onto the bottom rope with his right hand, his knee on down on the edge of the mat supporting his weight as he flexes for the camera. After a few more moments he pulls himself up to a standing position and steps through the ropes and into the ring. Much like he had at the top of the ramp, Nikolas slaps his chest twice more before shedding the t-shirt he was wearing, tossing it out into the crowd before taking to the ropes in his own corner, his arms raised high as his music faded.

With all the commotion going on social media between these two, there was a certain buzz around the arena as the two glare at each other from across the ring, waiting for the bell to be rung. Once it did the two remain in their designated corners, looking at one another carefully before they both circle the ring, coming to the centre for a knuckle lock engage. Nikolas has the size advantage and he uses it to gain the upperhand. Arm wrench takeover, slamming her down to the canvas and continuing to apply force to her wrist. Otaki would kip herself back up to her feet, arm wrench from her, a knee to the abdomen before a snapmare to Nikolas, looking to connect with a kick to the back but Nikolas is self aware, slamming his back down to the canvas to avoid any collision. Back up on his feet, Otaki races to him - he claps his hands, arm drag take down, armbar being locked in straight after and he tightens the hold, there's a smile on his face, he knows he has control of her. He knows he has the beating of her when it comes to strength and size and all he has to do is maintain. 

Otaki finds her way back up to her feet and clings onto the ropes, forcing the break. After a count of three Nikolas lets go of her, faking the strike before backing off to the centre of the ring, inviting Otaki for another lock in the centre of the ring. Collar to elbow, with Otaki slivering past him for a rear waist lock from behind. Nikolas would then reverse the move, looking for a German suplex but Otaki would land on her feet. She runs towards him, only to be helped towards the ropes, faking the rebound that catches Nikolas off guard as he leaps up in the air expecting her to bounce back. She runs towards him, sliding between his legs and running to the opposite ropes, coming back with a running butt pump to Nikolas, who doesn't seem phased. She's surprised, pushing him back a little, open palm strike to the face following. She then heads to the ropes, looking for another running butt pump but he catches her by her waist, show's an amazement amount of strength to lift her from a waist lock position up onto his shoulders, electric chair style, before falling backwards!

Crashing to the canvas, she arches her back in evident pain, rolling to the outside of the ring. Nikolas rises to his feet and embraces the cheers from the fans, nodding his head as he leans against the ropes and waits for Otaki to get up on the outside. He runs to the opposite set, bouncing off of them - looking to connect with an airborne move to the outside but Otaki slides back into the ring, running past him, bouncing off of the ropes, leaping up to connect with a knee strike. Nikolas stumbles back and leans against the ropes, she brings him off of them - a series of open palm strikes to the chest of Nikolas, which culminates with a palm strike to the heart area which forces Nikolas backwards and he falls through the ropes and to the outside, clutching his chest. Otaki hits the ropes, coming back toward Nikolas on the outside and performs a suicide dive!

She embraces the cheers and applause from the crowd but her work isn't over. She pulls him up, asking for a fan to pass over a chair. When they do, she sets it up so it's against the guardrail and sits Nikolas on it. She takes a run up, coming to him with an arched big boot to his face and Nikolas goes over the railing and into the fans. The referee demands that the match is carried on inside the ring and Otaki nods her head, picking Nikolas up and guiding him back to the ring. She hops onto the apron and poses for the cameras and fans, distracted, she's unaware that Nikolas is back up on his feet. He turns her round, lifting her up into a vertical suplex position and bringing her back into the ring. He holds her in position, allowing the blood to rush to her head and he urges the fans to clap along, and they do. Eventually, he falls backwards to perform the move and the fans applaud him for his impressive effort. He covers, unable to get the three!  

Rising to his feet, Nikolas feeds off of the energy of the fans and awaits for Otaki to rise to her feet, she's making her way up by the corner. He pulls her up and brings her towards the centre of the ring, looking for his high impact finishing move but Otaki isn't allowing him to perform anything on her. She's clubbing him with forearm strikes to his body, forcing him to release his grasp on her. Once he does, she takes off to the ropes, looking for a butt bump but once again he catches her, looking for a snap German suplex but she lands on her feet. He turns around, single leg take down, looking to deliver a standing elbow but she rolls out of the way. She rises to her feet, cups her hands and draws them to her side. While in position, while she has claimed to be charging, Otaki will say "Ka-me-ha-me-" and when ready she then thrusts her hands forward, hitting the chest with a double open palm strike, while shouting out "HA!!!" She then covers Nikolas for the one, the two and the three!

Winner: Otaki (14:58)

[James Peterson]

Main Event

Junior Heavyweight Showcase

Adrian Tanner, Jr. vs Dex Russey

The lights in the arena cut out leaving only the SWAT-Tron lit up. Spliced footage from Metal Gear Solid III begins to play on the video screen.

Revolver Ocelot: Hold it right there, traitor... Let's find out just how lucky you are...

Ocelot reveals a bullet for his revolver... He loads the bullet

Ocelot: Watch closely... [takes out three revolvers]

Ocelot: One of these three guns has a single bullet in it... I'm going to pull the trigger six times in a row... Are you ready?

Ocelot juggles the three guns... Each time he pulls a trigger, Sokolov winces... The fifth time a trigger is pulled, Sokolov pisses his pants

Ocelot: Looks like your luck hasn't run out yet...

The sixth time, the gun fires and the screen shatters into a million pieces and everything cuts to black again.

Voice over: "BE UNDENIABLE!

"Be Undeniable" by HELLYEAH booms through the speakers and Adrian Tanner Jr appears standingin the middle of the stage, head covered by the hood of his ring jacket. Red and white spotlights illuminate the stage as the music plays through the PA.

As the NJFC's esteemed ring announcer does his job, Adrian raises both arms over his head letting them come to rest stretched out in front of him, pointing like guns at the ring. At the announcement of his name he 'fires' and loud fireworks explode from the stage as the crowd cheers in approval. The red spotlights make a circle through the crowd while the white spotlights pulse in tune with the music for a very dizzying effect, as the Arizona Assassin makes his way down the ramp. He walks down the ramp towards the ring, slapping hands with a few fans before he pulls the jacket off as he slides under the ropes. He mounts the nearest turnbuckle and makes a gun motion with his left hand. He cocks the "gun", "fires" then jumps down and begins his pre-match warmup.

The opening guitar riffs of "Stranglehold" by The Nuge hits the sound system. The crowd gives an even reaction as the fog machine begins to get the entrance curtain smoky. A small laser show of polychromatic light bounces around the arena.

Here I come again now baby 

Like a dog in heat 

Tell it's me by the clamor now baby 

I like to tap the streets 

Now I've been smoking for so long  

You know I'm here to stay 

Got you in a stranglehold baby  

You best get out of the way 

Dex walks from the curtains and through the smoke. He turns his ballcap around with the bill facing the back of his head. He then rubs his hands together before cupping them around his mouth. He yells out a loud "OOOOOOOHHHHWEEEEEE!" Before trotting down to the ring and sliding in under the bottom rope. He quickly finds the closest turnbuckle and climbs to the top raising his fist high in the sky. He then hops down and hands it to the official before heading to his corner for the start of the match.

The two circle the ring before engaging in a collar to elbow tie up with Adrian Tanner quickly gaining the upperhand with his weight advantage, tossing Dex aside who quickly rushes to his feet. Once again they circle the ring and come together in the centre, looking as if they're going to engage with another collar to elbow before Dex quickly pummels his knee into the mid section of Adrian, locking him in a side headlock and dropping to one knee in the process. He tightens the hold but Adrian is able to fight his way back up to his feet, bringing him to the ropes where he launches him to the opposite set. Dex comes back and shoulder barges Adrian to the canvas, a smirk upon his lips. He then heads to the ropes, leaping over the grounded Adrian, bouncing back off of the opposite ropes and sliding under the legs of the leaping Adrian. Adrian turns around but is taken down with a double leg take down, Adrian is able to swivel his legs before Dex can perform anything and Dex releases him, stumbling backward. Racing to his feet, Adrian runs towards him - managing to perform an armdrag. They're both back up on their feet but yet again, Adrian connects with another armdrag! Back up and this time, it's a single leg drop kick that forces Dex to roll to the outside. Adrian is back up, baseball slide through the bottom rope and Dex goes back into the railing. Adrian then slingshots his way onto to apron, positions himself - before springboarding his way onto the ropes, propelling himself backwards for a moonsault on Dex!

Applause rings through the arena and Adrian quickly slides back into the ring, embracing the cheers of the fans as he nods his head. He allows Dex to enter the ring, who's slow and cautious, the two men circling the ring before engaging with a knuckle lock, they push into each other, trying to best one another and at this stage it's Dex who's getting the best of Adrian, managing to force him back down onto the canvas but Adrian is able to bridge himself into a position that avoids his shoulders being pinned down. Adrian fights his way back up but Dex uses his strength to power him down to the canvas, knuckle hold still intact, Adrian uses his feet to push up against Dex's abdomen, bringing himself back up, arm wrench, shoulder barge - before taking him down with an armdrag! They both race to their feet and Adrian connects with a flying forearm! Dex stays down, and Adrian pulls him back up, bringing him to the ropes. An Irish whip attempt is reversed and as Adrian comes back from the ropes, Dex connects with a jumping bicycle knee strike that catches Adrian off guard! There's an "ooooo" that echoes through the arena as Adrian staggers around. Dex grabs a hold of him, bionic elbow connecting and Adrian falls into a seated position. Dex takes off to the ropes, bouncing back and delivering a basement drop kick on Adrian who crumbles to the canvas. 

He covers him but only gets the two. Picking him back up by his hair, Dex positions him for a bucklebomb but Adrian is able to get out of it lucha libre style, the two men up on their feet, Dex running towards him, Adrian with the leapfrog, Dex bounces back - a sharp drop kick by Adrian! And another! Dex rolls to the outside and Adrian heads to the ropes, bouncing off of them and heading toward Dex on the outside, who walks away to avoid any collision whilst Adrian handsprings himself onto the ropes and poses in the centre of the ring. Dex leaps onto the apron, looking at Adrian who's inviting him back in. He enters the ring and the two are at it again, knuckle lock proposal, Dex declines with a toe kick, a european uppercut - before lifting him up in a powerbomb position, and slamming him into the padded corner. Dex rises to his feet, running his fingers through his hair and picking up Adrian, leaning him against the ropes where he connects with a flurry of wild punches, one after the other, questionable whether these moves are legal but the referee isn't disqualifying him so he continues. Adrian stumbles out of the corner and Dex takes off to the ropes, bicycle knee on Adrian that connects so sweetly, a clapping sensation reverberating in the arena once he connected. Dex stomps on him, a smile on his face after every stomp and he lifts him up, brings him to the ropes, Irish whip, Adrian comes back - slingblade by Dex! He then keeps him grounded, a chinlock submission and the fans begin to clap for Dex, hoping that he can feed off of their energy. 

And he does, fighting his way back up to his feet. Adrian with a knife edge chop, Dex returns the favour, following this with another - and another, culminating in an overhead suplex that rocks the ring. Pin attempt but only the two! He tries to pin him again, only the two again! He picks him up, in obvious frustration but Adrian throws his hands up in the air, enziguri kick connecting afterward! He then runs towards him, catching him with a flying armbar and not letting go of the hold! Dex is struggling reaching for the ropes but Dex has him in the middle of the ring! The referee asks whether he wants to tap but Dex shakes his head! He eventually manages to reach the ropes only for Adrian to bring him back to the centre of the ring, armbar submission! Dex fights his way out of it, pushing him into the corner! Adrian then connects with a forearm, an elbow, taking off to the ropes and delivering a flying forearm strike! Dex then kips back up to his feet after the strike, SNAP DDT! 

Both men rise to their feet, using their heads to help themselves up before they begin a series of shots being exchanged, the match turning into a brawl of sorts, a boxing match as the two wildly connect with shots all over the body. They ease up, exhaustion getting the better of them and they lean against each other. Out of nowhere Dex straightens himself up, shouts out: HADOUKEN! And connects with the Tiger Destruction Wave that has Adrian falling to the canvas. He then climbs then ropes, looking for the best moonsault ever, Dexcellence! He propels himself off, Adrian rolls out of the way, Dex lands on his feet regardless but Adrian runs at him, reverse STO Facebreaker - THE REVOLVER! HE GETS THE ONE, THE TWO AND THE THREE TO SECURE THE WIN!

Winner: Adrian Tanner Junior (16:35)